Thursday, 30 November 2023

Members

Matthew Bach

Valedictory statement

Matthew BACH (North-Eastern Metropolitan) (15:11):(By leave) President:

I know no life that must be so delicious as that of a writer for newspapers, or a leading member of the opposition –

wrote Anthony Trollope back in 1855 –

to thunder forth accusations against men in power; to show up the worst side of everything that is produced; to pick holes in every coat; to be indignant, sarcastic, jocose, moral, or supercilious; to damn with faint praise, or crush with open calumny!

It is a jaundiced view, yet with the very notable exception of the latter this has been my lot during the period of my occupation of this place, and this life has indeed been quite delicious. It has been a unique and wonderful privilege to serve both the Liberal Party and, importantly, the people of Melbourne’s eastern and north-eastern suburbs in the Parliament of Victoria. And it has been an honour to do so with all of you. I leave now entirely absent rancour or ill will. Indeed I go with a great sense of optimism, certainly about the position of the party that I represent and I love and also about our state and our country.

Before compiling these remarks I sought a briefing from the boffins in the library. I am advised that valedictory statements should contain one or two humorous or embarrassing anecdotes, dwell upon a member’s perceived successes, comprise commentary about the current state of affairs and contain relevant thankyous, and that all of this must be delivered in around 15 minutes. And in a startling first, I am determined to stick to my brief.

I thought about starting by telling you of the time that a current Labor member saw me naked, but that would be unkind to Michael Galea. Thankfully I do not have any such racy stories about my Liberal colleagues. Nonetheless, some interesting things have happened in our party room during my time. Notably there have been several contests, contests that invariably leave egos bruised and friendships strained. I will take one example.

My friendship with Mr Battin has never fully recovered from one contest, nor has my ego. Cast your mind back about two years. It is well known that Mr Battin was plotting, doing the numbers, seeking to secure for himself the second most sought after prize in this place: sexiest shadow minister. It was the custom and practice of the former Premier’s staff to hand out a series of awards at the end of every year to members of the opposition front bench. Now, two years ago I was in slightly better shape, had fewer grey hairs and certainly fewer wrinkles, and so, despite my natural modesty, I knew I had it in the bag.

It is not for me to speculate, therefore, on the dodgy factional deals that Mr Battin did at that time, but somehow he came over the top of me, and I was left holding the booby prize – most annoying shadow minister. Yet being annoying, as Trollope implied, is, I am afraid, a key role for members of the opposition. We are duty bound to attempt to hold the government to account with all the vim and vigour that we can muster. Yet in truth I have gained the most satisfaction from working collaboratively and hopefully constructively with colleagues in an effort to gain the best outcomes for the citizens of Victoria.

I probably take the greatest pride in the support that my team and I gave one particular family back in 2021, who were seeking to become permanent carers for vulnerable children in the child protection system. After engagement with the minister of the day and departmental officials, obstacles were overcome and now this family has provided a loving home for numerous vulnerable and precious children. At a broader level, it really has been a great privilege to work quietly and confidentially in particular with the Attorney-General and also with Minister Blandthorn on legislative issues of bipartisan concern. These sorts of interactions, which are based on trust, are unseen and I suppose often of far less interest – certainly to most – than the chaos that can sometimes come to characterise this place. Yet I think if more people were aware of them, perhaps we would all be held in higher regard.

I also had many beautiful interactions with colleagues after I shocked my party room and my parents, when I recently announced my intention to resign and move to the UK – I’m sorry, Mum! I do not normally divulge the goings-on of the party room, but I am going to make an exception today. When I said that I was going, there was much sorrow in the room, even weeping – all by one person, actually ‍– and colleagues said lovely things. One comment was particularly gratifying. It was provided to the Guardian – anonymously, naturally – and here is the comment about me: ‘He’s just a normal guy.’ I read that and I was gratified, because since setting foot in this place I have successfully enacted a cunning political strategy in order to convince you all of my normality.

I have three proof points, and my staff laugh at me because they tell me that I include these proof points in almost every utterance, both public and private. Firstly, I was kept down in grade 2 at my local state primary school – I do not say where. Secondly, my daughter Phoebe goes to local sessional kindergarten – I definitely do not say where. And thirdly, that my brother lives in Officer. These proof points have successfully obscured the truth – the truth that I had the most wonderful and privileged upbringing thanks to my incredible mum and dad Heather and Neil. But I am just a normal guy, and I have recently had to endure dreadful hardships. Just the other week my German au pair Jule hurt her leg, and I had to both pick up my daughter Phoebe from kindergarten and cook dinner.

The kindness that has been shown to me by my colleagues is, I suppose, one of the key reasons that I have for optimism. There are others. It is natural when we turn on the television or when we check social media to be confronted with images and stories of doom and gloom, but on most metrics right around the world things are actually getting better. Despite recent tragic events, wars are becoming less frequent; we are living longer, healthier lives; and free trade and other liberal economic reforms have dragged billions around the world out of poverty. Notwithstanding big challenges here in Victoria with strong and enduring institutions, we can continue to boast of being the world’s multicultural success story, which I think is something meriting serious reflection in these days.

My chief concern, as I said in my maiden speech, is an increasing tendency for us to retreat into tribes and to embrace identity politics. Now, this is not a partisan comment. Of course many on the left are criticised for their identitarianism, but the right is just as bad. I quoted Professor Francis Fukuyama on the end of history in my first speech; as a Liberal it is more or less obligatory to do so. His recent work on identity I think is just as noteworthy. On the right and on the left, right around the Western world more and more people are ceasing to see themselves either as unique individuals or as small but important cogs in a broader and wider societal machine, and our obsession with identity is yielding bitter fruit. It encourages us not to empathise with others. Indeed, identity politics teaches us that those we disagree with are not only wrong but bad. This makes debate impossible, yet the free exchange of ideas is vital for human flourishing. The good news is that there is ample room for us all – Liberals, conservatives, social democrats and even socialists – to resist further movement along this ill-fated pathway.

Let me finish with some thankyous, firstly to the people who put me here and have supported me. I joined the Liberal Party when I was still at university. I did so because I believe in the party’s values of free individuals and free enterprise. I still do, more than ever, as do our wonderful members. I want to thank the party’s membership in my region for placing its trust in me. I am only standing here because the party put me in a winnable position on our ticket. There are so many wonderful volunteers that I could thank. Let me name, though, just a few to whom I will always be grateful: people like Peter Clarke, Fran Henderson, Frank Greenstein, Holly Byrne, Sean Armistead, Mary and Toby Wooldridge, the Mulholland family, David Kitchen, Grant Hutchinson, Heath Wilson, Shilpa Hegde, Margaret Kirby, Adrienne Jardine – there are so many more.

I have been very lucky to hold a series of shadow portfolios in this place. In these various roles I have been fortunate to have the support of many senior stakeholders, who are not partisan people but simply want good policy: in education, people like Glenn Fahey and Jordana Hunter; in child protection, people like Deb Tsorbaris and Rowan Pulford, but also amazing young people with brilliant insights from their lived experience like Hayley Prasad and Nikita Martin-Cu; in transport infrastructure, people like Marion Terrill and Jonathan Spear; and in all justice matters, people like Paul Hayes KC, Marcus Clarke KC and Joel Cranshaw.

If time allowed I would wish to make some remarks about each and every one of my colleagues. Mercifully for you, it does not. Let me start nonetheless by paying tribute to Michael O’Brien, Matthew Guy and John Pesutto. The leaders under whom I have served have all made very notable contributions to our party and to our state. I have much hope that John will be able to make an even greater contribution as Premier after the next election. All have been immensely kind to me and given me fabulous opportunities. Michael mentored and promoted me to shadow cabinet. Matthew then ushered me into more senior roles, and John welcomed me into his leadership team.

Ms Crozier and Mr Southwick continue to serve with distinction on that team. Everyone knows that I love Ms Crozier; I will miss her very much. Mr Southwick is a rare beast – a highly effective politician but also the embodiment of decency. I am pleased that Mr Mulholland has replaced me in this team, in particular given his energy and intellect. I must mention Mr Davis’s many kindnesses to me. I will not soon forget his selfless support of me, especially when I was new to this place. Mr McGowan has been a wonderful colleague in the North-Eastern Metropolitan Region. He has also been my training partner and sometime therapist. I will miss him very much. Finally, Amy and I have loved getting to know our new local member Jess Wilson. She has made a fine start to what I trust will be a long and illustrious parliamentary career.

I am almost done, but before I take my seat I must talk about my amazing staff. We all know how vital our staff teams are to us, and I have been so lucky to have so many fabulous people wish to work with me even though I know full well that they could go elsewhere to find a far more remunerative place. Firstly, Paul Burns worked with me from the start. Paul got me through lockdowns. He has amazing judgement and on many occasions stopped me from doing deeply stupid things. Jordy Robertson was someone who I sought out, who I had worked with previously in education. She is not a political person but someone who simply loves helping others. It has been great to share this time with Jordy, especially as our families have both grown.

Tiffany O’Keeffe is someone of great intelligence, and her legal expertise was really important to me when I was pitted against the Attorney-General. Tristan Layton has been with me for some time now. He has a precocious intellect, and I utterly relied on him when I was Shadow Attorney-General and also Shadow Minister for Transport Infrastructure. He will go far, and when he does, I intend to take all the credit. Deb Chan is just the most beautiful person. She deals with all manner of very complex electorate and portfolio matters with empathy and expertise. She is a true professional. Tori Lane is tough, smart, so much fun, fiercely loyal and thrives under pressure. Tori led our team for some time. She is immensely valued by me, and I love her. Phil Pease is a wonderful Liberal person. He has fabulous skills that I do not, particular skills in areas like campaigning and also social media. Again, for some time now Phil has led our team incredibly well. He performed exceptionally when I was fortunate enough to have the education portfolio. Over this time Phil and I have become the best of friends. My hope is that one day, perhaps one day soon, we will see him sitting in this place.

I must briefly mention my family. It is wonderful to have Mum and Dad here, as it was when I gave my first speech. They have given so much to me. Amy – no-one could ever wish for a better partner than I have in Amy. When I prevaricate, she is steadfast. When I am stuck in a fog, she sees things clearly. She is a fierce advocate of mine and has always loved me so well. I really do not deserve her, but I am so excited about this next chapter with her. It is great to have Phoebe here, who was such a little girl when I stood up here just a few years ago to give my maiden speech. I am so proud of Phoebe. In so many ways she is just like her mum. She is fiercely determined. She always tries her best, and most importantly for me, she is becoming a very kind girl. Finally, we have recently welcomed Alice into our family, who cannot be with us today, because I do not think she would be sitting through this as patiently as Phoebe.

Phoebe Bach (from gallery): She’d be too noisy!

Matthew BACH: I think she would be too noisy. She did not used to be too noisy, but she is becoming more noisy. And we are loving seeing her little personality blossom. She has brought us so much joy.

Finally, President, I know this is a point that you wish to pick up a little later. My departure today is not the most important matter that we are dealing with when it comes to the occupants of this place. We are so lucky to be so well served, and this place is so lucky to be so well served, by so many amazing staff, like Mr Greg Mills, our principal attendant. More will be said on these matters a little later.

So, President, friends, based on these reflections and on the goodwill that has been shown to me by so many – certainly by so many members opposite as well – perhaps we should conclude that Trollope was not quite right all those years ago. Speaking 55 years later, Teddy Roosevelt had a different take on opposition politics and politics in general. He said this:

… credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again … but who does actually strive to do the deeds … who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat.

My hope is that in some small way these words may be deemed to be true of me and of you.

Members applauded.